Mum's the word for Bulls on Ronnie Brewer and Mike James

Management silent regarding potential signing of veterans with experience in Tom Thibodeau's system to bolster playoff run

April 04, 2014|By Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune reporter

Mike James waits to enter the game in the first quarter of the Chicago Bulls' 131-128 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Bulls management remained quiet on the possibility of signing Ronnie Brewer and/or Mike James, but sources said the team will beef up its roster next week.

After waiving rookie forward Erik Murphy, it's even possible the Bulls will add three prorated veteran minimum contracts to bring the roster to 15.

James is a virtual certainty to return. Signing Brewer also is being considered as a way to reduce the workload of Jimmy Butler, whose 41.9 minutes per game in March was the NBA's most.

Brewer was a key member of Chicago's "Bench Mob" in 2010-12. After leaving the Bulls, he struggled to find a solid role with the Knicks, Thunder and Rockets, who waived him Feb. 22.

Bulls forward Taj Gibson hopes Brewer, 29, returns.

"That's my guy," Brewer said. "He's a big guard, can defend multiple positions. He's athletic and he's a leader. He has been in the league a long time and has been through a lot with us."

Gibson said he was among the Bulls who chatted with Brewer after Chicago's victory in Atlanta on Wednesday.

"Most of the teams he fell into didn't have the right kind of system," Gibson said.

Coach Tom Thibodeau offered little on the subject, saying: "We're just concerned about the guys we do have. We feel good about our depth."

The Murphy Group: Gibson and Thibodeau spoke up for Murphy, whom the Bulls waived Thursday for "roster flexibility," according to the coach. It is believed that financial considerations were a higher priority — remaining below the luxury-tax threshold.

"Murph did a great job for us," Thibodeau said. "He worked incredibly hard each and every day, had a great spirit and he has a bright future. Unfortunately things like this do happen."

The 6-foot-10 Murphy appeared in just 24 games, scoring six points.

"He did his job every day, never complained, never once missed a practice," Gibson said. "That's the kind of guy teams need, and I'm sure somebody will pick him up."

Up in smoke: The NBA suspended Bucks center Larry Sanders for five games for "violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program."

Because the Bucks already had ruled him out for the season following orbital bone surgery, Sanders has to sit out the first five games next season. Sanders confirmed his marijuana use in a statement of apology.

The Bucks tweeted: "Larry Sanders has a responsibility to every person in our organization and our fans. We are all disappointed by the news of his suspension."